Understanding the environments in which maritime workers operate helps improve safety. Even on inland lakes, there are dangers of working in the maritime industry. Lake hazards become less risky and accidents can be prevented when workers understand the environment.
What Is a Lake?
A lake is any relatively fixed body of water surrounded by land. Small lakes can be called ponds, while very large lakes are often called seas. Lakes are distinct from the ocean. They are also different from rivers in that the flow of water through them is minimal or non-existent.
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A lake is either closed or open. Open lakes are those that have some type of outflow, such as a river or stream. A closed lake only loses water through evaporation. For this reason, closed lakes are salty.
The largest lake in the world is the Caspian Sea in Asia, which is more than 143,000 square miles. Lake Superior is the largest lake in North America at nearly 32,000 square feet.
The Role of Lakes in the Maritime Industry
Most lakes are not significant parts of the maritime industry. They may have recreational boating but are not part of commercial shipping, fishing, or other industries. Larger lakes and those connected to oceans and other transportation hubs are often involved in maritime industries.
In North America, the Great Lakes are important in the maritime industry. They are connected to the ocean by the St. Lawrence Seaway. Shipping freighters enter and exit here, moving goods to and from the interior of the U.S. and Canada.
The Great Lakes and other large lakes are also important for commercial fishing, ferries, small cruise ships, and recreational boating.
About Lake Ecosystems
Most lakes contain both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements like fish, microorganisms, plants, soil, and rocks. Some lakes don’t have enough oxygen to support life and are known as abiotic.
Many plants grow on lakeshores. Animals that rely on lakes without living in the water all of the time include birds, frogs, turtles, and insects.
Lake Food Chains
Lake ecosystems are diverse and include a food chain that begins with primary producers. These are plants that derive energy from sunlight. They include very tiny phytoplankton (like algae) and bigger plants. Primary producers and decomposed organic material form the basis of the food chain.
Primary consumers eat the primary producers. These include zooplankton (microscopic animals), insects, worms, shellfish, and some fish and bird species. Secondary consumers eat these primary consumers and include many fish and birds as well as humans.
Lake Ecosystems and Life Cycles
Lakes do not remain the same over time. They change and age. Over time, lakes fill in with plant material and sediment and eventually disappear. Lakes transition to bogs or swamps and finally dry out completely.
The lake aging process is naturally slow, but human intervention speeds it. Fertilizer pollution causes plant overgrowth, which can block oxygen, killing animals. Erosion due to human-built structures on shorelines also contributes to the buildup of sediments in lakes.
Maritime Dangers on Lakes
Lakes, especially large lakes with commercial shipping and fishing, pose many of the same hazards for maritime workers as the ocean.
Weather Accidents
Lake-going vessels are affected by weather. Boats or ships can get caught in bad weather that causes them to capsize or lose control, running ground or colliding with rocks or other submerged objects.
Capsizing and Sinking
Boats can easily capsize and sink on lakes, which puts workers at risk of hypothermia or drowning. The Great Lakes contain many shipwrecks from hundreds of years of commercial shipping.
Mechanical and Equipment Failures
As with ocean-going vessels, boats and ships on lakes can suffer from mechanical failures or crew mistakes. Equipment can harm workers if it is faulty or misused or if workers have inadequate training.
Boats on lakes can also experience engine failure if they get clogged with weeds. Regular maintenance can keep this from becoming a major issue, but if not cleared, boats may lose engine control while navigating on a lake or in a harbor or port.
Ferry Accidents
Many lakes have ferries to transport people or people and their vehicles. Ferry accidents can be caused by many factors. Common types of ferry accidents include collisions, fires, capsizing, and running aground.
Barge and Tugboat Accidents
Commercial shipping on lakes often involves the use of barges and tugboats. Tugs push or pull barges to move goods short distances.
Workers on these vessels are at risk for falls overboard, trip and fall injuries, chemical exposures, equipment accidents, and towing or mooring line accidents.
Cruise Ship Accidents
While massive cruise ships ply the oceans, smaller crise ships tour lakes and rivers and can also have accidents. Both workers and passengers on these vessels can be injured or killed in accidents involving falls, fires, contagious illnesses, and more.
Lakes have fascinating ecosystems. Better understanding the nature of lakes can help those involved in inland maritime jobs stay safe.
Workers on lake-going vessels are part of the maritime industry and are subject to maritime law. If you have been hurt on the job on a lake, contact a maritime lawyer for guidance.